The development of a youth movement in Brisbane

BRISBANE, QLD – Since early 2024, a local youth movement has been growing from strength to strength in Brisbane as young people from all walks of life have been coming together in purposeful settings and solidifying their shared vision about contributing to the betterment of the world.

The launch of a movement 

Recognising the need for a shared vision and practical support, the Baha’i community’s youth initiated spaces for prayer and spiritual conversations across the city. These early efforts were soon reinforced by the appointment of two coordinators dedicated to revitalising the movement, building everyone’s capacity to walk the path of service together. 

Key gatherings held over the past year helped unify the youth around a collective purpose. This shared vision found its focus at a youth movement launch, where 35 young people articulated the purpose of their upcoming summer activities: to prepare for a major youth conference by engaging in meaningful conversations with other young people through focused expansion phases. Expansion phases are intensive campaigns, usually two weeks long, dedicated to welcoming more individuals into the local community-building process. 

December marked the first youth expansion phase, followed in January 2025 by the first cluster-wide Institute campaign in nearly two years. The campaign allowed young people to study the courses of the Baha’i Ruhi Institute curriculum. A second expansion phase in February, held after an intense period of Institute study, culminated in a beautiful devotional space attended by 50 youth and friends, collectively building the spiritual energy for the main event.

The Brisbane youth conference: A springboard for action 

In February, the Brisbane youth conference brought together 135 young Baha’is and their friends from Brisbane as well as surrounding municipalities including Redland, Logan, Toowoomba, and Ipswich.  

Studying materials based on the 2013 Global Youth Conferences, participants delved into crucial themes including the role of youth in society, empowering younger generations, fostering a culture of mutual support, and building vibrant communities. The high spirits were infectious, driven not just by numbers, but by the deep sense of purpose and genuine friendship nurtured in the preceding months. The preparation of facilitators, the strong bonds of friendship cultivated over the past few months, and the strong devotional element created an environment where youth felt truly inspired, united, and prepared to serve.

Sustaining the transformation 

The conference proved to be a powerful catalyst. Reflections and artistic spaces allowed youth to share openly, and many discovered their desire to serve was crystallised after hearing the sincere aspirations of others. The event strengthened friendships and solidified a welcoming, inclusive culture. 

This impact had a ripple effect through local neighbourhoods following the conference. Nascent youth teams, connected to specific groups of families, gained a clearer sense of identity and purpose and began organising their own local expansion and service activities.  

The young people’s efforts to contribute to the advancement of their localities have now become more intentional. The youth are stepping up to organise local spaces and serve as facilitators and tutors of study groups exploring topics of spiritual import and empowering individuals to contribute to the advancement of their communities. The scale and complexity of this growth has led to the development of a system of youth collaborators and the appointment of additional coordinators, ensuring momentum is sustained in local settings.  

The community has learned that as youth increasingly participate in Institute campaigns, their contributions become more focused and sustained. It has also learned that large-scale empowerment of youth is inseparable from the Institute process. The July Institute campaign engaged nearly 40 youth, a significant jump from the 15 participants in January. Beyond the Institute, new organic initiatives, including a popular book club or deepening on sacred texts, draw up to 50 youth every week, and continue to strengthen bonds and spiritual identity. A bus trip for youth to visit the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship is also being organised.  

By connecting their efforts to the spiritual education offered by the Institute and working hand-in-hand with groups of families who take ownership of the process, Brisbane’s youth are ensuring that their tide of purpose and friendship continues to rise.